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karim-beckett · 7 years ago

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Yesterday Is History || Self-Para

Tagging: Karim Beckett (feat. Myriam Beckett) Time & Location: Various dates @ various locations Word Count: 3,005 Summary: This para has multiple vignettes of the two/three years of Karim’s life shortly before, during, and after his becoming a vigilante. Side Notes: The para bounces back and forth between different times. There are mentions of abuse and violence.

“Could you please state your full legal name for the record?”

Karim leaned into the microphone. He swallowed and stared at everyone in the crowd. “Karim Elsayed Beckett.” There was a long pause.

“Karim Elsayed Beckett, you are here today before the court for three counts of aggravated assault.” It was only three because Karim attacked his sister’s boyfriend twice, only once successfully, and then the man the cops found him attacking. The rest they could never prove. “How do you plead?”

Karim bit his lower lip and glanced at his lawyer. They’d talked and rehearsed for this moment for days. “Not guilty,” his lawyer instructed him to say. “Not guilty, your Honor.” That was what he was supposed to say.

“Guilty, your Honor.” Karim’s jaw cracked as he spoke. He leaned back from the mic and pursed his lips.

His lawyer sighed and closed his eyes in disappointment. The whole crowd in the courtroom gasped. His father’s eyes narrowed and his facial features became stern. He was like a statue. His mother covered her face with her hands. His sister, Myriam, the reason this all started, leaned forward with tears in her eyes. She looked straight at him and Karim couldn’t bring himself to do anything else.

The echo of a gavel hitting wood brought Karim back to Earth.

Karim was in the living room with his history textbook when he heard harsh whispers coming from the kitchen. He didn’t think anything of it until the voices got louder. Surely Karim’s parents would have said something if they weren’t out for a business dinner for his dad. It was just Myriam to look after him and to make sure they both ate...plus her boyfriend, Aaron, who stopped over almost every chance he got.

Then, the voices turned to shouts and he heard a crashing noise. Karim didn’t want to get in between them and their shouting match, but when he heard something that sounded like a hatchet hitting a watermelon, he tossed his book down. He got up and slowly walked to the kitchen.

Myriam had a hand to her face and her boyfriend was towering over her in a threatening way. "Hey, what’s going on here?” Karim said. He leaned against the doorway and raised his eyebrows at her boyfriend.

“None of your business! Get the fuck out of here! It’s between me and Myri, isn’t that right?” her boyfriend said. Karim uncrossed his arms and started walking towards him.

“Hey, I think my sister can talk for herself,” he snapped. He didn’t usually invest his time in whatever his sister was doing, but he didn’t like it when people didn’t treat her right.

“Karim, look, it’s fine. We’re just arguing. It’s okay. Go back and do your studying,” Myriam said, waving her free hand. “Go!”

Karim scowled at her boyfriend and exited the kitchen. A few minutes later, the two left the house, presumably to talk in his car or out on the front porch. Karim cracked open his book again and stuck his earbuds in to drown out any unwanted noise. If it was just between the two of them, he would ignore it and let them handle it since they were adults.

Karim walked with his friends around outside of their high school after soccer practice. A weight had been on his shoulders for days. What should he do? Should he tell someone? Is this is place? How could he let this slide? He glanced up at his friends. “I think Myriam’s boyfriend is hitting her,” Karim said. The words fell out of his mouth faster than he could stop himself.

“Whoa, way to kill the mood, Beck,” his friend Jackson said.

Karim stopped and turned to face Jackson. He furrowed his eyebrows.

“What makes you think that?” Dante asked. He was more tame and quieter than Jackson. He seemed genuinely interested in the conversation.

“She came home with bruises. I think she has a black eye but she keeps hiding her face with her hair. And she keeps wearing turtlenecks and scarves.”

“Have you talked to your dad about this?” Dante shifted his bag on his shoulder. “Or your mom?”

“I tried. Myriam covers the bruises up with make up and so he doesn’t believe me. It’s not really my problem to tell but I don’t know what to do,” Karim replied. When he last talked to his father about it, he said he’d talk to Myriam about it. Of course, Myriam just deflected and made the conversation about something else. Nothing ever became of it.

“Easy. Nothing. Like you said, it’s not your problem. Her boyfriend is just trying to keep her in line. Let him do his thing,” Jackson said with a shrug.

Karim immediately shot daggers at Jackson. “Excuse me?” He tossed his bag down on the ground and got closer to his so called friend. “What did you say?”

“Hey, man. Take it easy. Calm down. I just said this isn’t your problem. It’s between your sister and her boyfriend. If he’s just trying to keep her in line, let him. It’s not like you can really do anything to stop it.”

“Hey! That’s my sister you’re talking about,” Karim snapped. He shoved Jackson backwards.

“Karim, can you chill out? It’s not my fault that she’s--”

Karim’s fist connected with Jackson’s face, throwing him back. Jackson stumbled and put his hand to his jaw. He clenched his hands into fists, but Karim was already sending another punch. Suddenly, more hands were pulling the two apart. Karim was being dragged back despite all his shouting and kicking at Jackson. “Get off me! Fuck you, you piece of shit!” he snarled at Jackson. His friend tried to charge at him, but their soccer coach eventually sprinted over and came between them.

“Hey! Cool it, Beckett!” The soccer coach yelled. “Take a walk, Jackson. What the hell is going on here?” He looked at the boy.

Karim shook his head and pushed the hands holding him back away. “Nothing.” He grabbed his bag and walked off towards the student parking lot.

Karim sat in the wooden chair and stared at the floor as everyone came filing back into the courtroom. He glanced back briefly at his family sitting behind him. He turned his head to the side and saw Myriam’s ex’s lawyers and family members giving him death glares. He couldn’t even think of what could happen next. What was the worst thing that could happen at that point? He had already plead guilty.

“All rise for Judge Harper.”

Karim stood up and watched as the judge entered the room. He sat down again when instructed and listened as the judge talked and talked and talked. He returned his attention to the room when the judge asked the jury to deliver their verdict. They barely took any time to deliberate. Karim tapped his fingers on his leg as he waited impatiently.

“...the jury hereby finds Karim Elsayed Beckett...guilty of all charges.”

There were cameras flashing, trying to capture the exact moment that Karim processed their verdict. There was silence other than the clicking of the shutters of the cameras. Karim kept his head up and faced forward. He refused to look scared or repentant. He wasn’t sorry. He would have done this again in a heartbeat.

Karim’s sentencing came through shortly afterwards. The initial sentencing was five years in prison with possibility of parole after two years. Eventually, the sentencing was reduced to a minimum of three and additional time under house arrest and community service thanks to some negotiating of the shark of a lawyer his father had hired.

Karim had been worried about Myriam ever since the loud argument in the kitchen weeks ago. Myriam had become more withdrawn and didn’t come home as often, or at least not at reasonable times. Their parents trusted her more than they trusted him and gave her more of a flexible curfew. When they called her that night, she said she was sleeping over at a friend’s house, but Karim got a text from her that she was with her boyfriend.

Karim snuck downstairs when his parents were sleeping at about two in the morning. He looked at a couple of the photography books they kept on the coffee table as he waited for Myriam to come home. He started to doze off on the couch until he heard the front door open.

He opened his eyes and popped up from the couch. His head was on a swivel as he looked around for Myriam. He caught her walking slowly towards the stairs. Karim caught her arm as she went to put a hand on the railing. “Myri, where the hell have you been?” he whispered. He didn’t want their parents finding the two of them downstairs way past curfew.

“I...I was out,” Myriam said. Her head hung low and the hair covered her face. Her voice was quiet. It wasn’t as strong and self assured as her voice usually was. Something was wrong.

“With your boyfriend? Aaron?” Karim said, frowning at the thought. “Myriam, what’s going on with you?” He pulled her towards the kitchen so they weren’t directly under their parents’ bedroom door. “You’ve been withdrawn and you’ve been lying to Mom and Dad, which is something I do but not you.”

“Look, Karim, it’s fine. Nothing is happening. I’ve just been busy with school and extracurriculars.”

“You’ve already gotten into college,” Karim pointed out. “I know it’s not school that’s bothering you. Is it Aaron?”

“I...” Myriam couldn’t lie to him. “Yes. Yes. We’re just fighting, that’s all.” She kept her face turned away so he could never see her face front on. “I’m going to bed,” she added. As she headed for the stairs again, Karim grabbed her arm and pushed up the sleeve of her sweater to reveal bruises all along her wrist.

His eyes widened and he let go of her arm as she jerked away from him. Myriam had a complete look of horror. Her eyes were wide and frightened. He had never seen her look like this before. Karim stepped forward towards his older sister. “How long?”

“What?”

“How long has this been going on?” Karim said in a more assertive voice. “How long has he been hitting you? Hurting you?” He clenched his hands into fists as the anger made his blood boil. For too long, he remained uninterested in her life. He had turned a blind eye. It’s not your problem he kept telling himself. He had other things to worry about. She said she could handle it, so he said he’d let her handle it. He never realized how bad it was or how long it had been going on. He figured that this all happened even before that first argument in the kitchen he’d heard weeks ago.

Myriam inhaled and exhaled slowly. “It’s okay. I’m fine.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “Don’t tell Mom or Dad,” she whispered. “I can handle this. It won’t happen again, I promise. I’m going to talk to him about it. It won’t happen ever again. I can take care of this. I can take care of it.” Before Karim could get out another word, Myriam ran up the stairs to her room, leaving him alone in the kitchen.

Karim walked next to his new “friend,” Holden, with the rather mediocre food that was given out at the prison. As he headed towards the main eating area, he noticed everyone in the room stop what they were doing. They looked at him like he was an exhibit in a zoo. “What the hell is going on? Why are they all staring?”

“They’re conflicted. They don’t know what to do with you. On one hand, they admire what you did for getting that wife beater--” Holden said.

“He was my sister’s ex boyfriend, not her husband,” Karim replied. He glared a little at Holden who shrugged his shoulders and then took a seat at an empty table. He was in for robbing a couple of banks and stores and dealing drugs with his girlfriend.

“Doesn’t matter. You still beat up and abuser. Even criminals got standards and their own code of conduct. Abusers and predators are targeted in here. But on the other hand, you put a few of these guys in jail so they want payback.” Holden took a bite of his slightly discolored sandwich and then took a swig of his drink.

“That’s comforting...”

“You want protection, you’re going to have to talk to the king pin in here, Casper,” Holden said, glancing behind him at a man who was probably in his early thirties. Holden and Karim were probably two of the younger guys in the prison. Holden was just in his early twenties. Karim was in his late teens, unfortunately tried as an adult at his trial.

Karim looked over Holden’s shoulder and he shook his head. “Yeah, I’m the one who put him here so I don’t think he’s going to want to protect me,” he said. “I don’t need protection. I think I can handle myself.”

“You’re going to need to keep your head down then and hope no one comes up behind you with a shank. You never know. I once knew a guy who had his eyes gouged out with a homemade shiv.”

Karim furrowed his eyebrows at Holden, suddenly mildly concerned about his well-being here in jail. But he wanted to learn as much as he could from these criminals. The more he could learn from them, the more efficient he could be on the streets once he was released.

Karim winced as he sat down on the chair. He waited at the small metal table until an officer led Myriam over. He smiled and wanted to reach out and hug her, but they both knew the rules. No contact. He was lucky that the prison allowed in person visits and he didn’t have to talk to Myriam through a phone with glass separating them.

“Karim, you look...terrible,” Myriam said.

Karim reached up and scratched the side of his head. A bandage covered the side of his forehead just above his eyebrow. Bruises and small cuts covered his hands and forearms. Some gauze and bandages were wrapped around his one arm. “Thanks. I needed to hear that since I haven’t looked in the mirror lately,” he said as a weak attempt at joking.

Holden was right. It was easy to make enemies. Karim had one friend and that was Holden. Defending him led to him making a few more enemies than intended. Karim grimaced as he shifted in his seat. His ribs ached every time he moved.

“What the hell happened?” his sister asked.

“It was just a small skirmish,” Karim answered. “It’s fine. I’m okay. I could be worse.” He offered her a small smile, but he honestly felt like he’d been hit by a semi trailer truck. He hadn’t been there six months and he’d already made more enemies and found himself in the prison’s infirmary on more than a couple of occasions. The fights were almost never his fault, but he was pulled in or targeted by other prisoners he’d attacked when he was The Ghost.

“I’m trying to get you out of here,” Myriam said. Karim finally looked up from the table’s surface and back to his sister. Before he could ask anymore questions, his sister continued to explain. “I’m looking for a way to get out of here. It’s too dangerous for you to be here. You won’t make it to your parole hearing.”

“I’m glad you have so much faith in me,” Karim scoffed. He bit his lower lip and looked away from Myriam. He looked at all of the other inmates who had loved ones and friends to come visit them. He really did appreciate Myriam for coming to visit him as often as she did. He knew that there was a huge number of inmates who didn’t have anyone to visit them. The only time they’d be visited was a lawyer or in the morgue.

“I’m doing it because I love you and care about you. I can’t sit here and see you in here getting beat up. You’re not meant to be in here. You should be outside of these walls and heading to college.”

Karim didn’t want to get his hopes up, but the idea of getting out did sound nice. If she couldn’t get him out though, he had to wait until two years was up or simply wait until the end of his sentence. “Thanks for coming to visit.” His mother had visited him a couple of days ago. His father was still so upset his son was in prison that he didn’t bother showing up. The last Karim saw him was when he was put in handcuffs again and led out of the courtroom to get in a van and head back to jail.

“Look, don’t waste your time trying to get me out. I’ll be okay,” Karim said. “I love you. I’ll see you soon.” He motioned to a officer nearby that he wanted to go back to his cell. He sucked in his breath to keep himself from wincing again.

He didn’t want Myriam to become anymore concerned than she already was. He definitely didn’t want his mother to hear back from Myriam and come running over to check on him. Karim hated that the rest of his family had to bear the burden of him being locked up. He didn’t want them to worry. He knew exactly what he was doing every night when he pulled on the mask and put on the black suit that made him The Ghost.

As her little brother walked away, Myriam stood up and watched. “I’m going to get you out, Karim. I promise.” He didn’t want to get his hopes up, but it would be nice to be free again.

#self #self para #//Holy hell this is hella long

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dragon-moms · 7 years ago

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Entry 165 - Baroness

Conquest continues.

It occurred to me, as I forced myself back into being, that I should perhaps be concerned about what additional deaths might do to me. As I sat by my phylactery, exhausted, I considered this. Had I been affected in any way? My last death involved much worry, as I died protecting my friends. I had not even taken stock of potential effects on myself. But the death before had been my “rebirth,” as the Paladin, Flare, had put it. That was a significant change.

Things were less immediately pressing now. Though I did not know the state of my apprentice, and if the ritual had been successful, there was little I could do about that situation, and I had confidence my children were safe. I had the capacity to worry about this. I build bone from nothing but will and the curses I had placed upon myself, and took stock of who I was.

In the end, I decided that I was Baroness. I was a mother. I was a Wizard. And I was a good person.

I needed to get back to my friends and family.

And so, once my wings functioned and my body had enough energy to power most basic magics, I flew nonstop from where I had hidden my phylactery to the farm of Juliet and Caroline, where I had established I would go.

Unfortunately I overestimated by capabilities and recovery and crashed next to their place in rather unfortunate fashion, making a small crater.

“Julie!” I heard a voice say. “Julie, it’s that Wizard! She’s… is she hurt?”

“Don’t touch me…” I murmured. I could not raise my head to see. I was very tired.

“She’s right, don’t touch her,” another voice said.

“But we need to help her, right? She’s Myri’s mom!”

“Everything she touches dies, Carrie… we’re just going to have to hope she’s okay.”

“I have… simply overextended myself…” I managed to say. “In order to facilitate quickly reaching this location…”

“Well, I don’t think you should just lay here in the open,” a voice said. I finally managed to get it through my skull that it was Juliet. “We don’t need that attention.”

“I will be fine...after some rest…” I said.

I heard another voice, but I passed out before I could process it.

When I awoke again I was covered in several blankets, not in the style of one sleeping in bedding, but covered from head to tail. They were haphazardly placed and not all had good coverage. It took me a moment to understand why: they had been thrown onto me at a small distance for safety purposes.

I laid there for what appeared to be half a night before I felt strong enough to stand and take in my surroundings.

My impact point had, thankfully, been between fields, so I had not killed any crops. I could see smoke rising from the farmers’ place as the sun slowly rose. Several of my bones had cracked from the impact, but my form still held. Once things settled down I could repair the damage without issue. Until then I would have to be careful with the legs on my left side, as they had sustained the brunt of the damage from my fall and felt strained as I moved them. My wings, thankfully, seemed intact, so I would have no trouble travelling.

I folded the blankets, carrying them as I moved, carefully and slowly, to the door of their place, and knocked.

The Black named Caroline opened the door, and then moved back a bit, for safety, as they saw it was me. “You’re awake! Are you alright?”

“I am… damaged. But I am alright. I can repair the damage once I have the time and resources to set up the ritual,” I said.

“Well, come in,” Caroline said, smiling a little.

“I… would rather not… I am missing my claw coverings which…” I started.

Juliet appeared next to Caroline and threw my claw coverings at me. I only managed to catch one due to holding the blankets. I set the blankets down and picked the other covering from the ground. “Myri left those for you, and that shawl you wear. They said your wing prosthetics were too much to explain and unsafe for us to help with, so they have those.”

“I see,” I said, putting on my coverings. I could feel them repressing my aura, and I felt a bit of relief. “Thank you.”

Juliet sighed. “Yeah, yeah… well, now I guess you better come in.”

I followed them into their small place. Caroline and I carefully exchanged blankets for my shawl. I put it on and pulled it tight around me. “I… I appreciate you agreeing to be my point of contact with my family and friends…” I said.

“Well, you didn’t give us a whole lot of choice, did you?” Juliet said, sitting down at the table and getting back to eating breakfast.

“I… yes… that is accurate,” I said, unsure what else to say.

“It’s alright,” Caroline said. “We get it.”

“Do we?” Juliet asked.

“Yes, Julie, we do,” Caroline said.

Juliet just sighed.

“I’m just glad nobody noticed you out there. We thought for sure someone was going to see you out there for the two days you were asleep,” Caroline said.

“Two days…” I said, considering this. “I see.”

“I’m not really clear on what happened, though,” Caroline said. “Myri was very confusing talking about it.”

“I died during an experiment and so I needed to reconstruct my body,” I said.

“Died,” Juliet said.

“Yes,” I said.

He just shook his head. “Sure, fine. I mean, you’re a skeleton, none of your family is alive, what do I know.”

“Do you, perhaps, know the results of the experiment?” I asked. “You mentioned speaking with Myrmidon several times now. Did they tell you of the status of my apprentice?”

“They were being secretive for our protection,” Caroline said. “So they didn’t explain much.”

“But they gave us a map they told us not to look at, and they said we should tell you that they and their partner are taking good care of the Egg,” Juliet said before pushing the rest of his breakfast into his mouth.

“I see,” I said. “Perhaps that means we were successful.”

Caroline pushed a folded piece of parchment to me. I looked at the map. The location marked was in dragon lands, quite near the Peak. I took a moment to process this. “I shall leave immediately.”

“Are you sure?” Caroline said. “You can stay and rest for the day, if you want. I… well, I can’t tell if you’re tired, but in general, if you slept for two days, that probably means you haven’t been resting enough.”

“I will be fine,” I said.

“Fine in the same way that caused you to leave that crater out there?” Juliet asked.

“I…” I considered this. I thought about Myrmidon. Had my creation been here, they would certainly insist I rest. “Yes… perhaps additional rest would be the correct course of action…”

“Use the bedding if you want. Leave after dinner,” Juliet said, getting up. “Not that you eat, I guess.”

“I understand,” I said. “Thank you both.”

Soon they both left for their farm work. I laid down and found myself asleep again almost instantly. I was awoken by the sound of Juliet preparing a meal.

“Hello,” I said.

“You’re awake?” Juliet asked.

“Yes…”

“Sorry, I really can’t tell.” He continued cutting up something for the meal he was preparing.

“It is… alright. I understand the nature of my appearance.”

There was silence between us as he got the stove heated up and started to cook. I could hear something sizzling softly in his pan.

“What was down there?” he finally asked.

“You were not informed?”

“Myrmidon was very annoyingly politely keeping it all from us,” Juliet said, sighing. “I like them but come on, it’s not like Carrie and I are children. It’s not like we haven’t already risked ourselves on this shit.”

“Your assistance has been vital,” I said.

“Well, hey, at least you agree.”

“It was a cavern as big as an entire territory.”

Juliet scoffed, like he did not believe me.

“It was home to a forgotten fifth lineage of dragon.”

“Fine, don’t tell me then,” he said.

“I am being honest,” I said.

Juliet sighed. “Can’t even tell if you’re joking…”

“I am… not good at humor,” I said. “I would not joke.”

“If what you’re saying is true, if your friends tell everyone, we’re going to get kicked off our farm,” Juliet said. “The Queen is going to send who knows what.”

“...perhaps,” I said. “It does not seem an unlikely possibility.”

“Fuck…!” Juliet said with force. He walked to the door of his place, spitting acid harmlessly outside, before going back to his cooking. “I knew this was a bad idea, but Carrie is just too fucking nice and I can’t say no to them…” The pan clattered loudly against the stove.

“I will ensure the safety of you and your partner,” I found myself saying.

“Yeah? How.”

“We will…” I paused, considering this. “Based on the information you have given me, my friends are already likely planning to change the Queen’s mind on several issues,” I said. “This one will be minor compared to those, and easy to accomplish. And if we do not succeed, we will not be around to tell them about the territory.”

“Sure is easy to throw around promises, huh?” he said, and then sighed. “Not like we have a choice but to hope you’re not lying. And I guess we should pack.”

I got up out of the bedding. This situation was one I had had a part in. I had put them in danger. I knew the problems with relocating. And they did not have access to the resources I did in that matter. I needed to reassure them that I was serious about this endeavor. I attempted to construct a plan. The best option I could come up with was a temporary exchange of resources. In situations with my husband back during my life, this was how we negotiated such things. I would borrow from his library, and he would take a tome of equal value from mine, and vice versa, to ensure return of the borrowed volume. This, however, was on a grander scale. I had but one valuable object, and I was unsure if Juliet would consider it of equal value to the farm. Also I did not think my apprentice would approve of this plan, but I could not think of a better one.

“This shawl…” I said. Juliet looked up at me, and for a moment, I lost my words. “This shawl was given to me by my child, Dagger.”

“The ghost.”

“Yes… it was… Dagger and I, we do not get along well. Ey are… an artist… I am a Wizard… ey are emotional and I have trouble understanding emotions without hard work. We have a… poor history of interaction…”

Juliet just looked at me, wondering where I was going.

“But ey gave me this gift, regardless. Because we are connected. Mother and child. And even though we fight, that connection persists. This is… an important object to me for that reason.”

“Sure,” Juliet said.

I took it off and placed it on the table. “Please take care of it until I fulfill my side of the promise and you feel safe here on your farm.”

Juliet looked away. “I don’t need it. You keep it.”

“It is the only thing of value I have at the moment to attempt to guarantee…”

“I said keep it.”

“I want to ensure that you understand that I…”

“I said keep it!” he yelled.

I could not find words.

He spit out more acid, taking a few deep breaths. “Look, I want to trust you all, but I’m allowed to be frustrated, okay? I’m fucking allowed. So just… let me vent a little. Let me be scared a little. Alright?”

“I… can do that…” I said.

“We built this place with our own claws. Caroline and I. This is our farm. I am not going to give it up,” he said.

Caroline opened the door in a hurry. “Is everything okay? Julie?”

“I’m fine,” he said. “Just got a little heated.”

“Baroness? Are you feeling better?” Caroline asked, clearly not really accepting Juliet’s answer.

“Yes… I was… preparing to leave,” I said.

I let Caroline move out of the door and headed towards it.

“Hey, you forgot your shawl!” they said, and offered it to me.

I looked to Juliet.

“Just keep your promise,” he said.

I took my shawl, and put it back on. “I will. Thank you both for your help.”

I have taken a break after some flying. I require breaks, it seems. But I will soon reach the marked point. And then I will consult with my friends and family on this promise.

I have confidence this too can be solved together.

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

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susangkomengreaternyc · 5 years ago

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Connecting Community to Action at the Second Annual Sisters for the Cure Brunch

Saturday, June 29, 2019 was a great day for saving lives at the second annual Sisters for the Cure Brunch at Riverside Church. The event was made possible by CBS 2, WLNY 10/55 and Visit Philadelphia. African America women from all over the Greater New York City area came together to hear amazing speakers discuss how we can take action as a community to reduce disparities in breast cancer care and mortality in the African American community.

Artist, Educator and Facilitator, Shavon Norris

The event opened thoughtfully with a mindful welcome from Artist, Educator and Facilitator, Shavon Norris who encouraged everyone to close their eyes, breathe deeply, be present in the room, with the community and open to all that was happening in the room.

Emcees, Elise Finch, Dana Tyler and Aundrea Cline-Thomas of CBS 2, WLNY 10/55

The wonderful emcees from CBS 2, WLNY 10/55, Elise Finch, Dana Tyler and Aundrea Cline-Thomas took the stage to welcome the crowd and remind everyone why we came together on this impactful day.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that African American women die from breast cancer at a rate 40% higher than white women even though we are diagnosed at the same rate. Today we are coming together as sisters in this fight to say “no more” and to be part of the solution for our community.”

Aundrea Cline-Thomas of CBS 2, WLNY 10/55, Komen NYC CEO, Linda Tantawi and Rachel Ferguson, Komen NYC Board Member and Chief Innovation and Global Diversity Officer at Visit Philadelphia

Komen Greater NYC CEO, Linda Tantawi addressed the audience to share how Susan G. Komen is working to put an end to breast cancer and the disparities present within our community.

“Susan G. Komen uniquely engages in the ENTIRE breast cancer spectrum: education, screening, patient navigation and support services and, of course, RESEARCH to fund the cures. This research is saving lives. What is also saving lives in Komen’s commitment to reducing disparities in access to care through our local work and investments with our community partners.”

Karen Peterson, blogger, metastatic breast cancer advocate and zany cancer chronicler

Karen Peterson, blogger, metastatic breast cancer advocate and zany cancer chronicler, shared her story on how self-advocacy saved her life. When an early stage breast cancer led to a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer to her lungs, liver and bones, Karen insisted on genomic testing which pointed to a newly targetable mutation for which there was a new clinical trial. Today, Karen is NED (no evidence of disease) on this new drug, now nearly five years later!! Karen urged us to prioritize our health, to address any abnormal feeling in or on our bodies with urgency. “As women, we should invest in our health - it saved my life.”

Lisa Newman, MD of Weill Cornell Medical Center

We were thrilled to have, Lisa Newman, MD, Komen Greater NYC Medical Advisory Committee member and Chief of the Section of Breast Surgery at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medicine provide an exciting overview of on the research she is conducting on the impact of genetics on breast cancer and African American women.

Fact or Fiction? Dana Tyler led a lively discussion with, Donna-Marie Manasseh, MD, Chair of Komen NYC’s Medical Advisory Committee and the Director of Breast Surgery at Maimonides Breast Center to put an end to the myths and misconceptions about breast cancer.

Donna-Marie Manasseh, MD of Maimonides Medical Center

Survivor fashionistas rocked the pink runway! Chief Innovation and Global Diversity Officer at Visit Philadelphia, Komen NYC Board member and founder of the Sisters for the Cure Brunch, Rachel Ferguson, emceed an inspirational a fashion show featuring Survivor/Thriver fashionistas sporting the latest fashions by clothing brand and Komen partner, Ashley Stewart. Our four models, Georgia Williams, Burnadette Scruggs, Karen Myrie and Althea Pollard demonstrated how they were living their #BreastLives after breast cancer.

Survivor/Thriver Fashionistas, Bernadette Scruggs, Althea Pollard, Karen Myrie, and Georgia Williams

Survivor Fashionista, Karen Myrie

Huge thank you to all of our speakers, our attendees and our sponsors for joining us to make a difference in the lives of African American women in our community.

“By attending this event, you are joining the sisterhood as we fight to educate our community on the importance of breast cancer screening and early detection. Together, we will create more survivors.”

Special thanks to CBS 2, WLNY 10/55 for supporting and capturing this important day!

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/4115073-sisters-for-the-cure-hold-cancer-fundraising-brunch/

#sisterscare #creatingmoresurvivors #sistersforthecure

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dragon-moms · 7 years ago

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Entry 142 - Merry

Dear Diary,

Tonight was a good night!

Though I didn’t get to sleep much.

Myrmidon woke me up early.

“Mmmuh…” I mumbled, half asleep.

“My sweetest, it is time to get up, I am afraid. If we want time to talk to Juliet and Caroline, it would seem prudent to do so before we start breaking everything down,” Myrmidon said.

“That makes sense…” I said, yawning. “Mm, yeah, okay…”

“Please get ready, and I will take Philly to rest with my mother,” Myrmidon said.

“Sure…” Philly, also still mostly asleep, mumbled.

Myrmidon took Philly off to safety while I forced myself to get ready. It soon hit me, though, what we were about to do. It was kind of scary, Diary! I didn’t really know what would happen. But surely if I was honest and stuff things would turn out okay.

Soon Myrmidon returned, and we headed towards the farm.

“From my experience, they should be finishing up dinner around now,” Myrmidon said. “So we should arrive in perfect time for a discussion.”

“That’s good,” I said. “What exactly do we want to say, though?”

“Ah, well… that we are uninterested in their advances, I suppose,” Myrmidon said.

“Are we?” I asked.

Myrmidon took a second. “Ah, I had just assumed from our previous discussion… what is your opinion, my sweetest?”

“I just… well, I just assumed if we did anything like that, we’d do it together…” I said, avoiding eye contact as I tried to focus on flying. “You know? Not that this is the time for all that, probably… like, we should make sure we’re all safe first...”

“Ah, I see,” Myrmidon said. “That is sensible, yes. I do agree that it would make sense to say we are a unit and not open to such things at this time. Perhaps once we are more settled and safe, we will have the time and energy for such things.”

I nodded and smiled at them. “Yeah!”

Soon we landed in front of Caroline and Juliet’s place and I knocked on the door.

Caroline opened the door, and blinked, then smiled. “Myri! Merry! Hello. What brings you over? Isn’t it early for you?”

“Ah, a bit, yes,” Myrmidon said, smiling. “But we have a few things to discuss with you, if that is acceptable.”

“Of course! Come in,” Caroline said, and we headed into their place.

Juliet looked up from his journal he was writing in. “Hey,” he said.

“Hi, Juliet!” I said, smiling.

We sat down, and Caroline smiled at us. “What’s up?”

“Ah, well, it may be a bit embarrassing, but we wanted to be open with you, you understand,” Myrmidon said.

“Embarrassing?” Caroline said, confused.

“Yeah, maybe,” I said, fidgeting a little. “But, you know, we wanted to be honest? Because you’re friends, you know?”

Caroline chuckled. “Well, I’m glad you think so…”

“Just say it,” Juliet said from the other side of the room.

“I believe that I am getting signals that you are attracted to me, Caroline,” Myrmidon said.

Juliet closed his journal with a thump. I fidgeted more. Did that mean he was mad?

“If I am incorrect, then I do apologize for the assumption, but if I am accurate in my assessment, we have something to discuss, I believe,” Myrmidon said with a smile.

“I-I… oh my…” Caroline said, looking flustered. “That’s… I mean…”

“Carrie,” Juliet said, moving to sit next to them.

Caroline took Juliet’s claw and took a breath. “I mean, sure. You’re adorable,” Caroline said. “And you get my whole gender thing in a way I’ve only ever gotten from Julie. Of course that’s attractive.”

“Ah, you found our discussions on that subject helpful?” Myrmidon said, smiling. “I must agree it is useful to explore and talk about such things… I have found my sibling useful in this regard, even if ey were initially resistant to it.”

Caroline nodded, smiling a little.

“They are pretty cute, you know?” I said to Caroline. They laughed. And we all laughed with her. And things felt suddenly way less stressful, Diary! I was so thankful!

“We didn’t actually expect anything to happen, but we’ve talked about it,” Juliet said. “I don’t believe in feeling bad about shit like that, so I told Caroline not to feel that way either.”

“Sorry if that’s caused you any problems,” Caroline said.

“Not in the least,” Myrmidon said. “We simply wished to ensure there were no confusion between us.”

“The thing is,” I said, “I don’t think we can really try all that out for now… I’m sorry. It’s just that we’re just about to leave… uh, sort of, I mean… we’re going to be going down in through the door tonight, so…”

“So we should probably not pursue this now,” Myrmidon said.

Caroline’s eyes widened. “You’re leaving?”

“They were obviously going to move on at some point,” Juliet said.

“Still! All at once?” they said. “That’s… well…”

“I’m sorry…” I said. “We just… well, I mean, we’re still fighting for Philly and everyone, you know? And this ruin is part of that, I think… part of that book?”

“Book?” Juliet asked.

“Ah, well, that is a bit complicated,” Myrmidon said. “Needless to say, however, the solution to our problem theoretically exists down in the territory we have located the entrance to. And we would like to get out of your way and not put you in additional danger.”

“We aren’t in danger,” Juliet said. “I told you, adjudicators don’t come here.”

“Still,” I said, “I have to go down there… we do, I mean… we have to… everyone gave up a lot for us, to keep us safe… and down there, we might be able to get it back for them, you know?”

“I don’t really follow,” Caroline said. “But I understand if you all have stuff to do. We’re just going to miss you.” Juliet gave Caroline a look. “Ignore Julie, he’ll miss you too.”

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll come back and visit, though!” I said. “I mean, if that’s okay.”

“That’d be alright,” Juliet said. “And I guess at some point you’ll have to come back out from down there right onto our farm, so we’ll see you then.”

“But of course!” Myrmidon said.

“That sounds great!” I said, smiling.

We chatted for a while longer, about Baroness’ attempts with Nobody and just, you know, everyday things. But finally it was time to get back to make breakfast and break the camp down.

“We’ll see you soon, okay?” I said at the door.

Juliet nodded. “Stay safe down there.”

“Myri?” Caroline said. “Goodbye hug?”

Myrmidon looked at me, and then back to Caroline. “Ah, of course! But I am sure Merry would like one as well.”

Caroline chuckled. “Sure.” They gave me a big hug! And it was kind of embarrassing, but also kind of nice? It was pretty oddly intense. And then they did the same to Myrmidon. “Thanks,” they said.

“It is our pleasure,” Myrmidon said, bowing.

Caroline laughed. “Get going. Stay safe.”

We headed back to camp, and broke everything down. And Caroline and Juliet stayed up to see us off! That was nice of them! And then we headed into the White territory! It was a long, long walk! But it was amazing to see, Diary! It was all lit like it was daytime, and there were all these dragon-sized human structures! Myrmidon, Philly, and I picked one to sleep in that looked like a little restaurant stand inside! Though once we got everything set up I admit I was pretty tired… though I can’t wait to look around tomorrow!

Everything went really well, Diary! I’m glad. But I need to turn in… I didn’t sleep much, like I said, so I hope you don’t mind if I get to sleep early!

I give today a 7.1!

Good day, Diary!

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

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dragon-moms · 7 years ago

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Entry 135 - Baroness

Conquest continues.

I arose late. I found myself feeling more tired than usual after my interactions at the dinner the night before. Perhaps my creation was right in their evaluation of me as exhausted.

I was greeted by a mostly empty camp, besides Merry and my apprentice.

“Hey, Baroness!” Merry said, waving to me.

“...good evening,” I said, approaching.

“You slept in late,” Philly said, sitting on Merry’s shoulder. “You doing okay?”

“I… simply felt tired…” I said, drawing my shawl closer.

“That’s okay!” Merry said. “I’m glad you got some rest.”

“Yesterday was stressful,” Philly said.

“It was?” Merry asked.

“Mom,” Philly said, giving Merry a look.

“I… suppose it was…” I said.

“Well, hopefully it’ll be more fun next time?” Merry said. “I’m sorry you had a bad time…”

“It was… simply a lot…” I said, averting my eyes. “Where is Nobody?”

“Oh, she left with Gloria and Flare a while ago?” Merry said.

“...I am late,” I said.

“Were you supposed to go with them?” Philly asked.

“I…” I said, and thought for a moment. “I had assumed that Nobody and I would be continuing our research this evening… now that the situation has been dealt with...”

“Well, I bet they’re waiting on you, then!” Merry said, smiling. “You should get ready and go! Do you need some… right, well, probably not breakfast, but if you need anything, I’ll do my best!”

“...I simply need to pack,” I said. “But thank you.”

I hurried back to my tent and repacked my bag, taking into account the knowledge that a song in some way influenced the door. There were several tomes that would almost certainly fail to prove useful.

“I am leaving…” I said as I exited my tent.

“Okay!” Merry said. “Good luck with the research!”

“We’ll watch the camp,” Philly said.

“Yes…” I said, and then paused before I took to the air. “Thank you... for your support yesterday… in helping to decrease fear around my presence...”

“Of course!” Merry said. “I mean, we’re friends, right?”

I stared at her for a moment. “...yes,” I said.

“We get you, Baroness,” Philly said. “Don’t worry.”

“...yes. Good,” I said. “Goodbye…”

I flew to the farm. But when I got there, Nobody, Gloria, and the Paladin, Flare, were nowhere to be found.

Myrmidon spotted me circling and waved me down. “My lady! May I be of assistance?”

I landed as Myrmidon wiped their claws free of dirt with a cloth. “I am… I was supposed to continue our research…” I said.

“Ah, of course,” Myrmidon said.

“Do you know where Nobody, Gloria, and Flare are?” I asked.

“I am unsure,” Myrmidon said. “I know they were working on the entrance but I was focused on my farm work, I am afraid.” They chuckled softly, averting their eye. “I… must admit to letting myself be lost in these tasks, as I miss maintaining our place, my lady. I feel somewhat incomplete as of late without it.”

I was not expecting this. I took a moment to examine them. “You seem to be functioning properly.”

“Ah, yes? I believe I am. It is simply a… well, it is not important, my lady. I will do what is required of me in any case. I live to serve,” Myrmidon said, smiling. “But perhaps we should ask Caroline and Juliet? They tend to treat their work as more of a social activity, so perhaps they were more aware of where they went.”

“I am… unsure if that is wise,” I said.

“Surely they are still awake, my lady. Come, let us ask,” Myrmidon said, and started walking towards their place.

I reluctantly followed, and stood a safe distance away as Myrmidon knocked.

“Oh, Myrmidon!” Caroline said, a smile on their face as they opened the door. “Is something wrong? Thanks again for helping today.”

“It is my pleasure to serve,” Myrmidon said. “But my mother has a question she would like to ask you both, if that is acceptable.”

Caroline looked up, noticing me. “Your mother…”

“Yes,” Myrmidon said.

“...hello,” I said.

“You still sound nervous,” Caroline said.

“...yes,” I said.

Caroline looked at me for a while long, “Well, come in then, I guess.”

“My mother will do her best to give you both space,” Myrmidon said, walking in, “But do be careful around her.”

“...right,” Caroline said.

I entered their small place. I could see immediately why my creation had given them warning, as there was not a lot of room to maneuver. I sat down by the door, attempting to take up the least amount of space.

Juliet looked up from a journal he was writing in and gave me a look. “You brought your mother,” he said to Myrmidon.

“Ah, yes, she had a simple query you may be able to assist with, if that is acceptable.”

Everyone looked to me.

“I was… simply looking… for the one called Nobody… and those she was working with…” I said.

“Do you know her?” Juliet asked.

“I… have been working with her…” I said.

“What do you think of her?” he asked.

I paused. “She… is knowledgeable in historical matters as well as methods of deactivating or modifying ritual lines…”

“So she’s just a bunch of useful knowledge?” Juliet asked.

“I… no…” I said, unsure what to say.

“Well, I think she’s a fucking asshole,” Juliet said.

“Julie…” Caroline said.

“She is, though,” Juliet said.

“Well, yes, but they’re friends,” Caroline said.

“Nobody is quite difficult to get along with on occasion, if that is what you mean by your statement,” Myrmidon said. “I will concur on that point.”

“...yes,” I said. “She is… confrontational…”

“Thank you,” Juliet said, looking to Caroline.

“I just wanted you to be polite,” Caroline said, shaking their head.

“Anyway, think about if you really want to spend time with her this evening,” Juliet said. “That’s all.”

“I… simply wish to continue my research…” I said.

“Do you need her for that?” Juliet asked.

I considered it. “She is… helpful to bounce ideas off of,” I said.

“A big help,” Juliet said in a tone I am to understand was meant to be sarcastic. “You should cut her loose.”

“I… am not in a position to make that decision,” I said.

“Neither am I. But fuck her,” Juliet said.

I did not know what to say.

“You okay?” Caroline said. “I’m sorry, Julie can be a little intense.”

“Intense,” Juliet said, grumbling.

“...I am unsure what I can do about the situation…” I said. “I am simply attempting to continue my research…”

“So you agree with me, then?” Juliet said.

“I…”

“Despite my best intentions and sensible logic I’m starting to like you all,” Juliet said. “But I have no fucking idea why she is here.”

“She is out of place,” Caroline said. “And very rude.”

“I cannot disagree with any of these statements,” Myrmidon said. “However, Gloria seems to think she is important, and she has helped out on some occasions, so perhaps another solution is preferable.”

“A claw to the face would be preferable,” Juliet grumbled.

I sat there and attempted to understand why we were having this conversation. What had happened? Was I responsible for something in this situation? Surely I must be. We were companions, at the very least.

I tried to consider what my apprentice would suggest I do in this situation.

“I will… attempt to remedy this,” I said.

Myrmidon looked at me, confused. “You will, my lady?”

“...yes.” I said. “I will… help… you have been a great help to us, so…”

“That’s really nice of you,” Caroline said. “We’d appreciate if you talked to her. I’m sure Gloria is, but since she and Nobody are… well, you know. I assume the point might be missed.”

“I do not know,” I said.

Caroline looked away, “Oh, come now, it’s pretty obvious, isn’t it?”

I considered it.

“My mother is not skilled at these things, being aromantic among other things,” Myrmidon said. “I am also not sure I agree with your assessment, but I do think Gloria might be biased in that regard.”

“Whatever. Just make sure she doesn’t threaten my partner and I again,” Juliet said.

“Yes…” I said.

“Anyway, as far as where they went, I saw them open that ridiculous entrance and go inside. Haven’t seen them since,” Juliet said.

If they were inside, I likely could not enter without Flare’s assistance. “I see,” I said. “Thank you.”

“What will you do, my lady?” Myrmidon asked.

“I cannot reach them if they are inside,” I said.

“Perhaps an evening of rest and research then,” Myrmidon said.

“...yes,” I said. I had a new problem to attempt to solve, after all, of the most difficult kind.

“Let us head back to camp,” Myrmidon said, taking my claw.

“Oh, Myrmidon, don’t forget the supply crate that got delivered today,” Caroline said. “It’s by the work shed, remember?”

“Ah, yes! Merry will be pleased it came in. Thank you for your assistance,” Myrmidon said, bowing.

“Thank you,” Caroline said. “You’ve done so much for us here.”

“It’s been nice to take it a little easier, I admit,” Juliet said.

“As I’ve said, I live to serve,” Myrmidon said. “I am simply glad I am being useful.”

“Seriously, though,” Caroline said, fidgeting a little. “Thank you, Myri.”

Juliet looked to his partner. Caroline looked away, tail swishing.

Myrmidon took a moment at that. “You are welcome,” they said. “Truly.”

We flew back towards camp.

“How am I to resolve this social problem?” I asked Myrmidon.

“That I do not know, my lady. We shall have to think on it.”

I nodded.

I am still thinking on it now.

It will be a great challenge.

But perhaps not impossible.

#dragons #moms #dragonmoms

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